Without Warning (Naruto Fanfiction)

Chapter 18: Just a Test

WITHOUT WARNING
CHAPTER 18

JUST A TEST

Kiba decided to walk all the way back to the village instead of the usual tree-jumping that made it faster. He wanted more time to think and pep-talk himself out of dwelling on Hinata's rejection of his feelings. At some point in his walking, he smelled Sasuke's electric chakra even more than before, and oddly he also smelled the mildly sweet water chakra of Hinata.

He wondered what was happening in the clearing and almost went back. Almost.

"Argh! Don't be pitiful Inuzuka!" He scolded himself after almost running back. "What's done is done anyway. We should be back to normal first thing tomorrow." He tried to convince himself.

A few short moments passed before be realized it wasn't just Hinata's and the Uchiha's scents that he was smelling. There was something else, a tangy scent with a pungent note. That scent is new. Who the heck is that?

Without hesitation, Kiba found himself moving towards the scent. It was near the clearing, but a little far off to the right. Kiba's senses heightened and he realized how handicapped he was without Akamaru beside him. He grit his teeth.

I can't back down now. Someone dangerous might be lurking around here. I need to find out who it is, and protect Hinata.

He proceeded and found a lone man to the East of the clearing. He was still quite far away from it but close enough that if he was a ninja, he would easily discern two distinct chakra signatures from inside the clearing. Kiba crouched down, staying about 4 or 5 trees from the man and concealing his presence. If the man had been focused on Sasuke's and Hinata's presence, he wouldn't have noticed Kiba's slowly disappearing one.

Kiba's sharp sight allowed him to see that the man was wearing a pastel colored yukata with his bare chest showing. There was none else notable on his attire. No weapons or anything seemingly dangerous, but he had an aura to him -- something wrong and generally shouldn't be.

The man walked calmly but quietly towards the clearing, and Kiba wondered if he should attack or go ahead of him to the clearing to inform Sasuke and Hinata of the stranger.

He wasn't able to take more than three steps towards the direction of the clearing when he saw the man turn his head in his exact direction. Kiba felt a cold sweat building at the back of his neck, his hair standing on end at the unnatural action of the man.

"Shit," Kiba muttered before running full on towards the clearing, not caring if he made so much noise that his presence would be noticed even more. The yukata-clad man ran to chase Kiba. He was fast!

"Hinata!!" Kiba shouted, hoping his voice would reach her. In that moment, Sasuke appeared before him, his Rinnegan and Sharingan both activated, before vanishing again to gain higher ground. Immediately, he threw three kunai towards the unknown ninja. The kunai struck the ground, the yukata man effectively dodging. His movements were oddly light -- too light as if he was akin to air. Kiba's eyes roved around, searching for Hinata and he finally found her. Sasuke continued to send attacks towards the intruder but he was keeping his distance. He also avoided using his explosive and wide-range jutsus to keep damage around Konoha at a minimum. Sasuke didn't want any trouble with the Hokage while he had just gotten back.

Kiba landed on the ground, and his eyes looked for the woman he had just confessed his love to moments ago.

Hinata circled around, staying low as she tried to entrap the unknown man on the opposite side from Sasuke. His attention was still on Sasuke and she took that opportunity to get closer on his opposite, and exposed, side.